Those who ventured up Marin Avenue for the 19th Annual Hein-Fry Lecture on April 22nd were greeted with bright sunshine and a warm welcome from PLTS. After some delicious pastries and some "Lutheran" coffee, all were greeted by seminary president, Rev. Dr. Phyllis Anderson, and then joined in Morning Prayer in the Chapel of the Cross. After worship, Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan, Dean of the Faculty at Wartburg Theological Seminary, brought greetings from his seminary and then his thoughtful lecture, "Interpreting the Bible Lutheranly: Between the Undertow and the Tsunami." Because his assignment was to lecture on campuses in Florida and California, he used nautical terms to introduce the challenges we face in Biblical study and interpretation. After his 75 minute presentation and a brief intermission, he entertained questions from the 150 or so in attendance.
 
Following the delicious luncheon prepared and served by PLTS students, everyone reconvened in the chapel for the official response to the lecture delivered by Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka. Dr. Penumaka is the director of TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) and associate professor of contextual theology at PLTS. In his response, he invited the presenter to seek for ways to bridge the gap between justification and justice, and offered some teachings from his background that might help to do so. Dr. Nessan then reflected publicly and graciously on Dr. Penumaka's insights, and both presenters fielded questions from the group.

 

 

The Hein-Fry Lecture Series grew out of 40 years of tradition from the predecessor bodies of the ELCA. Through a series of annual lectures, leading theologians address pressing theological issues facing the church. This endowed series encourages intellectual inquiry and lively discussion among Lutheran college and seminary faculty and students, clergy and lay people. Rev. Dr. Steed Davidson, associate professor of Old Testament at PLTS, is also a Hein-Fry Lecturer this year, and has visited the campuses of Luther Seminary and Pacific Lutheran University.

 

This year's Hein-Fry lectures will be published soon in Currents in Theology & Mission.

Do you like to avoid taxes? Do you have an IRA? The Federal Government has extended the provision whereby you can designate your Required Minimum Distribution (or any part of it) to PLTS and avoid any income taxes you would otherwise pay on that distribution. The limit is $100,000. If you wish to make a gift to PLTS and want to designate the RMD from your IRA, call Joel ASAP in the Office of Seminary Relations. His number is (510) 559-2711, or you can email him at jwudel@plts.edu.